Columbia Southern University
tuition & fees
$6,224
graduate tuition & fees
$3,936
Student Population
17,763
online students
17,763
Number of Programs
65
Financial Aid Amount
$4,295
Graduation Rate
33%
Columbia Southern University is a Private, 4 years college located in Orange Beach, Alabama. Columbia Southern ranked 22nd in Alabama Colleges and 82nd in Federal Region IV.
It has a total enrollment of 17,763 including undergraduate and graduate students and student to faculty ratio is 37 to 1. It is a Master's College and University (larger programs) school by Carnegie Classification and its highest degree is Doctor's degree - research/scholarship.
Columbia Southern University is accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
School Overview
The following table shows the basic characteristic of Columbia Southern University and directory information. You may want to visit the school's website to check application deadlines, requirements, and financial information.
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Address | 21982 University Lane, Orange Beach, AL 36561-9000 |
| Phone | 251-981-3771 |
| WEB | www.columbiasouthern.edu/ |
| Admission Information | |
| Admission | www.columbiasouthern.edu/admissions |
| Online Application | www.columbiasouthern.edu/apply-now |
| Financial Aid | www.columbiasouthern.edu/tuition-financing/federal-student-aid |
| Net Price Calculator | www.columbiasouthern.edu/tuition-financing |
| Veterans Tuition | www.columbiasouthern.edu/military/military-tuition-information |
| Disability Service | www.columbiasouthern.edu/student-support/disability-services |
| School Category | |
| School Type | Private, 4 years |
| Carnegie Category | Master's College and University (larger programs) |
| Highest Degree Offered | Doctor's degree - research/scholarship |
Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics
Columbia Southern University has an open admission policy (any students can attend with high school diploma or a certificate of attendance or General Educational Development (GED) certificate). Contact the school to get more information.
| Open Admission Policy | ✔ |
|---|
Tuition & Fees
Columbia Southern's 2025 tuition & fees is $6,224 for undergraduate students. The undergraduate tuition increased by 7.16% compared to the last year's rate ($5,808).
For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $3,936. The graduate tuition increased by 3.04% compared to the last year's rate.
| Amounts | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | $6,224 |
| Graduate Tuition & Fees | $3,936 |
*Data Source: 2024-2025 Tuition & Fees - NCES (Last Update: 6/05/2025)
Student Population
A total of 17,763 students have enrolled at Columbia Southern (2024-2025). Among them, 17,763 students have enrolled online exclusively to earn their degrees. Columbia Southern has 12,213 undergraduate students and the graduate school has 5,550 students. You can check student population by gender, age, race/ethnicity, attending status, and online learning.
| Total Students | 17,763 |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Students | 12,213 |
| Graduate Students | 5,550 |
| Online Enrollment | 17,763 |
Offered Degrees and On-Campus Services
Columbia Southern offers 65 programs including both undergraduate and graduate programs. 65 out of the 65 programs are offerd via distace learning (online programs).
The following tables summarizes the offered programs, on-campus services, and special learning opportunities offered by Columbia Southern
| Number of programs | 65 Programs |
|---|---|
| Number of online programs | 65 Programs |
| Offered Degrees/Programs | Certificates of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 year 1 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) |
| Academic/career counseling service | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Employment services | ✔ |
| Placement services for completers | ✗ |
| On-campus day care for students | ✗ |
| Distance Learning (online classes) | ✔ |
|---|---|
| ROTC | ✗ |
| Study Abroad | ✗ |
| Weekend/Evening College | ✗ |
| Teacher Certification | ✗ |